​​Auckland Attractions / Auckland Tourism.

 

Auckland is home to one third of New Zealanders and consists of New Zealand’s largest city. Population; over 1.3 million people. The city has a mix of urban sophistication and a coastal setting which has inspired a lifestyle which ranks regularly in the world’s top 10.

 

View the many Auckland attractions available. The north island's Auckland is perched on a narrow isthmus between Waitemata and Manukau harbours and offers diverse activities and adventures.

Visitors can relax on an island in the Hauraki Gulf, trek through expansive native rainforest, sample delectable wines at a local vineyard or walk along many a sandy surf beach, all within half-an-hour of downtown Auckland.

 

The Māori name for Auckland is Tamaki-Makau-Rau (the maiden with a hundred suitors) - so-named due to the region being coveted by many tribes.  At some time in history more than 18 Māori tribes have had claims on Auckland.  British missionary Samuel Marsden was the first known european to explore the Hauraki Gulf in 1820, with captain James Cook missing the Waitemata harbour when first charting the New Zealand coastline in 1769. European settlers and missionaries followed soon after Marsden and by 1839 New Zealand was part of the British Empire. Auckland became capital of the British colony and remained New Zealand’s capital for 25 years.

 

There are more than 80 vineyards in Auckland producing chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and merlot wines. The vineyards are located in five main areas - North Auckland (Matakana, Clevedon Valley), West Auckland, Northwest Auckland and Waiheke Island.  Waiheke Island produces New Zealand's most expensive wine and one of the world’s top 20 cabernet blends.

 

Auckland has many adventure activities, from abseiling and canyoning, to jumping off the Sky Tower or bridges and offers a rugged west coast which is perfect for canyoning. The Waitakere rainforest offers visitors the opportunity to  jump off cliffs into deep pools, abseil down waterfalls and slide down natural hydro slides.

 

 

Auckland consists of 14 main townships, all within one region.

 

Please click on the region below to go to the area applicable, within the box you'll find the towns relative to the region in question. Travel distances between sights in each region average between 30mins to 1hr.